PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith (L), Ha Noi, February 8, 2017 - Photo: VGP/Quang HieuPM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith co-chaired the 39th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee in Ha Noi on February 8 to discuss ways to cement and deepen the bilateral ties.
PM Phuc warmly welcomed his Lao counterpart and the high-ranking governmentdelegation, the first foreign visitors to Viet Nam at the beginning of the Lunar New Year.
“Viet Nam and Laos enjoy a unique relations in the world,” said Mr. Phuc, adding that Viet Nam always spares no effort to support the neighboring country in national development and joint coordination at international and regional forums.
For his part, PM Thongloun Sisoulith was convinced that under the co-chair of the two PMs, both sides would hold frank and open discussions.
Signing four documents
After the meeting, the two sides inked four documents including an agreement on cooperation plan between the two Governments in 2017;theminuteof the 39th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee; a cooperative plan between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports; and the minuteon theestablishment of a joint venture on the Lao-Viet Nam 500 kV electricity transmission line construction project.
The two PMs took part ina press conference to announce theoutcomes of their discussion.
Accordingly, the two sides hailed the bilateralcomprehensivecooperation. In 2016, both sides fruitfully realized agreements at all levels. Especially, the cooperation in politics, diplomacy, national defense, security, economics, social culture, andpeople-to-people diplomacy were strengthened and broadened. So far, over 14,000 Laostudents and pupils are studying in Viet Nam. At the meeting, the two sides approved of fresh mechanisms to promote the bilateral ties.
So far, Vietnamese investors havepoured around US$ 3.7 billion of capital into the neighboring country via over 400 projects.
Celebrating Viet Nam-Laos Relations
PM Phuc revealed that the two sides agreed to realize declarations and agreements of the two Politburos and others agreements; beef up political anddiplomatic relations, national security, investment, and trade to a new height; strive for a10% two-way trade growth in 2017.
Both sides agreed to shake hands in training human resources; developtransport infrastructure projects; managewater and natural resource in asustainable manner.
The two countries have already figured out orientations to successfully organize the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year in 2017; celebrate the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 40thanniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
The two countries also pledged to support and work together at regional and international forums.
PM Phuc pledged to direct ministries, agencies, and localities to work with Lao partners toenforce commitments at the meeting and create the best ways for businesses to boost operation in Laos.
Finally, the Vietnamese PM believed that the meeting would generate anew momentum for the bilateral ties in a more practical fashion, contributing to nurturing the traditional, special comprehensive ties.
In reply, PM Thongloun Sisoulithhighlighted the significance of 2017and promised to enforce the four documents soon./.
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